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Do you make an experience or gain an experience? For example,

I made rewarding volunteering experiences ...

I gained rewarding volunteering experiences ...

Are either acceptable? Is there a finer distinction?

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2 Answers

up vote 6 down vote accepted

Experience meaning knowledge or skill from doing something is used as an uncountable noun and goes with gain.

I gained much experience from the job.

Experience meaning something that happens that affects you is used as a countable noun, but that is another situation altogether.

He made it an unpleasant experience for me.

It is not clear what your example sentences mean and it is best to rewrite them.

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gains experience for oneself. No "an". You gain (uncountable) experience as sum of skill and knowledge obtained from repeating something. You live through an experience, an event that caused a lasting impression (or make one). – SF. Jun 13 '12 at 12:28
up vote 3 down vote

Gaining experience would be more appropriate in this context. 'Making' an experience has the connotation of creating/crafting an experience, which has a different meaning.

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